Susan Lapidus, Director

Susan is the Founding Director of the Initiative, following a year as Executive Director at the U.S.-Israel Center at University of California, San Diego. She brings to her role a strong background in non-profit leadership and a knowledge and love of Israel. As Director, she coordinates and produces the center’s deep multi-faceted education about Israel, manages its diverse offerings of public events, and works in a myriad of ways to bring modern Israel to campuses across San Diego County. Her professional career includes 20 years of extensive experience in development with positions at the United Jewish Federation and Jewish Family Service, as well as in advocacy and the private sector.

Susan is a native of New York and graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Journalism, spending a year at Tel Aviv University. She maintains close ties to Israel through friends and family around the country, and through her professional work.

Mitchell Price, Program Specialist

Mitchell is the Program Specialist where he is responsible for program management and implementing all logistical details associated with outreach and events for the MGSDII. Additionally, he is an employee of the Leichtag Foundation and works within the Philanthropy Department.

Prior to joining the MGSDII and Leichtag Foundation, and before managing earlier stages of the San Diego-Israel Initiative at the University of California, San Diego, Mitchell worked at the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties as a Development Associate. In this role he identified and devised strategies for cultivation of prospective donors, oversaw donor recognition, planned donor and membership events, and managed annual giving campaigns.

Mitchell holds a B.A. in Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University.